Ultimate Guide to Holistic Detox:

Transform Your Body and Home with Detox for Renewed Health – Part One

So you’re thinking about “detoxing.” Maybe you’ve seen a YouTube video on detox, overheard coworkers talking about it or saw an ad on social media promoting some form of it, but you’re not exactly sure what it is or what it entails. What is detoxing? Detoxification is the process the body undergoes in removing toxins, either naturally or by some method. Think of it similarly as taking the trash out. Hopefully by the end of this writing you’ll have all of the knowledge necessary to determine which form(s) of detox you feel you can benefit from.

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I am not a doctor and this information should not be considered medical advice. This post is for informational purposes and is my own personal experience. If you need medical help, seek this from your own medical professional.

How Does the Body Detoxify?

Before we even get started, allow me to let you in on a little secret…you are already detoxing! Yes, it’s true. God designed our amazing, human bodies with numerous “natural detoxification” processes already built right in. For example, your kidneys filter toxins out of your blood that are then released during urination. Your liver filters toxins out of your blood which are then removed from your body via feces. Your lungs have a built-in mechanism to trap toxins before they reach deep inside your airways and those are removed via mucus. Our skin (the largest organ) allows toxins to be released through our pores via sweat.

Do I Need to Detox?

When our bodies develop or encounter an issue (i.e. kidney disease, liver failure) with one of these natural detoxification functions, more problems are inevitable. So therefore it makes perfect sense that we assist our bodies with detoxing in areas where disease or inflammation has compromised that particular natural toxin-cleansing process. But, for argument’s sake, let’s assume that you’re the “picture of health.” Do you even need to be concerned with detoxing? The simple answer is, yes! Why not do all you can to help your overall health?

Where Do Toxins Come From?

So let’s discuss toxins for a minute. What are they and what forms do they come in? Toxins, simply put, are contaminants in your body that create some type of negative impact to your well-being. Some examples of toxins include: heavy metals, air pollution, chemicals, pesticides, germs, bacteria, excess hormones and unhealthy processed foods…to name a few. So with that said, if you are breathing, eating non-organic foods, drinking tap water or from plastic bottles, cooking with nonstick pans, etc., you are taking in toxins…period.

Do you realize that your shampoo, body soap, body lotions, dishwashing detergent, suntan lotion, toothpaste, floss, deodorant/anti-perspirant, hair coloring, cologne/perfume, feminine products/sprays, over-the-counter medications, household cleaning products, laundry detergents and fabric softeners, etc., likely contain harmful toxins? The list of these products is endless and therefore our bodies are working around the clock to remove (detox) the impurities we put in and on them.

Excess Toxins

Our body’s natural processes can also create toxins through “die-off” (example: cell death during an immune response), metabolism and from our emotions and stress. Once the toxin level in the body is too great for the liver and kidneys to handle, they can be dispersed throughout the body. They are then stored in the liver, kidneys, brain, etc. This excess toxin load remains in the body and puts an added burden on all of our organs, creating additional health issues. Detoxification, when done properly, helps the body put its energy into areas such as healing, stress and mood handling, and so much more.

Hidden Toxins

As mentioned earlier, toxins can come from what we eat and drink, pharmaceuticals we take and the air we breathe. But let’s look at some other avenues these harmful toxins are making their way into our systems:

Plastic water bottles and containers we drink and eat from, as well as store hot and cold food in, are leaching harmful toxins right into the food or beverage. Once consumed, these toxic plastic molecules absorb into our bodies and can cause an imbalance to our hormones. Therefore it’s best to avoid food and beverages in all plastic containers whenever possible. A much safer option to store your food in is in glass containers.

Another common cooking item most people use is aluminum foil which is a culprit of another metal toxin that ends up unwanted in our bodies. I see so many people grilling and baking with aluminum foil which is inevitably putting unhealthy metals into their bodies. Other unwanted toxic metals include: mercury, lead, cadmium, copper and arsenic. Did you know that some of these can be entering your body from the water you are drinking? A great way to prevent this is investing in a home reverse osmosis drinking water system which ensures you are drinking pure, clean water…free of chemicals, metals and toxins. At all costs, avoid drinking plain tap water unless you have thoroughly tested it for contaminants.

Benefits of Detoxification

The benefits of detoxification are immeasurable and therefore any type of detox regimen will result in better future health. The choices we make now to ensure our health is moving in a positive direction are invaluable and help to protect our bodies in a powerful way. Now that we’re aware of the problem of toxins, let’s talk solutions and their benefits.

DETOX BENEFITS:

• Improved stress and anxiety
• Better memory
• Decreased depression
• Boosted energy
• Improved mood
• Healthy bowel movements
• Better skin health
• Ability to maintain a healthy weight
• Minimized body odor
• Stronger immune system
• Better hormone balance

Detox Methods and Approaches

There are many ways to assist the body with detoxing and there is no denying the miraculous benefits, so let’s get started!

• EXERCISE – Moving the body helps blood flow and lymphatic pathways which in turn moves the toxins so they can be eliminated. One example here might be rebounding on a trampoline which can bring tremendous lymphatic detoxification.

• HEALTHIER EATING – Being intentional with proper nutrition will pay huge dividends in aiding your body’s ability to operate optimally. Choosing healthy, wholesome foods (i.e. organic fruits and vegetables, organic grass-fed meats and fermented foods like sauerkraut), while also removing sugar, seed oils and processed foods is a fantastic place to start. And trust me, you will begin to see and feel results fast. Just simply learning to read food labels is an absolute game changer and you will quickly realize how much garbage is hiding in our foods! Please check out this blog post about healthier food choices.

From Dr. Eric Berg:

“The definition of food is:

– sustains life

– provides energy

– promotes growth & repair of tissues”

He says, “If the food you are eating doesn’t do the above 3, then it’s not food.”

• EPSOM BATHS – I use four (4) cups of epsom salts and use the warmest water as I can tolerate. This causes sweating during the bath which opens the pathways and promotes detoxification. I also love to mix my favorite essential oils (bergamot, marjoram, tea tree, hormone balance and lemon oil—2 drops each) to the epsom salts before adding them to the bath water. This helps the oils blend with your bath instead of just floating on the surface.

• OZONE THERAPY – I cannot say enough good about ozone therapy! We have been using our ozone system for well over a year now and the health results are tremendous. I recommend Simply O3. They are a fantastic company and believe in educating you to get you your best health result. Get your discount here for their great products…use code betterhealth10 to get 10% off your Simply O3 order!

• CASTOR OIL PACKS – Using castor oil can benefit our bodies in numerous ways. Applying the oil directly on the abdomen (liver area) and chest can improve detoxification. I received a great thermography report for breast health and attribute that to being consistent with applying castor oil to this area for several months now. Simply apply a few tablespoons to an organic piece of cotton and place it over the desired area or, personally, I like to apply the oil directly to my skin. (I feel like it has a better chance to absorb into the area). After applying the castor oil, I just wear an organic cotton t-shirt and apply a heating pad to improve and actually concentrate the absorption. Afterwards, I do not wipe the oil off…I just sleep with the remaining oil still on my skin. I also love applying it over any area I have inflammation, (i.e. knees, elbows) and like to use it as a moisturizer for my face. In fact, castor oil has been called by many, “nature’s botox”. It really is a tremendous resource! This is the brand I’ve been using.

• STRESS MANAGEMENT – I know this sounds easier said than done for a lot of people. Keep in mind that just taking some small steps with your stress management is a great start! A couple techniques that I use are prayer and simply being thankful. Our responsibilities and busy schedules can easily overwhelm us. In fact, just stepping back and practicing some deep breathing can give you good, immediate results. Decreasing stress levels helps to move the body into a detox state and deep breathing really works wonders here. I like using the 4-2-8-2 technique: Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, exhale slowly for 8 seconds, wait for 2 seconds and repeat…this intentional, slowed breathing helps to level your mind which improves your stress levels. Another great technique is imagining you are in “your” happy place…wherever that might be (i.e. the beach, the mountains, etc.). This is a form of meditation and really provides you with an overall calmed state. You can also choose something as simple as setting your electronic devices down for a few hours a day and reading a good book or magazine instead. The benefits are tremendous and your mind will become clearer and calmer. Set a plan with yourself to detox or “fast” from your phone/tablet. This detox includes stepping away from social media as well. There are many avenues that can be educational and useful, but many are just a thief of your precious time. Take a walk or bike ride and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors. You don’t realize how beneficial it is to our mind and spirit when we help a friend or loved one in need or just lend an ear. Taking the time to be thankful and give yourself grace as well as others around you also helps lower stress. Decreasing your stress load undoubtedly helps support our bodies in detoxifying properly.

• ELIMINATING FRAGRANCES AND PERFUMES – Common sense tells us that applying these products to our skin allows the chemicals they contain to enter our bodies. I cannot say enough about putting this practice into place for a healthier lifestyle. If you would like to read more about the dangers of fragrances and perfumes, check out this blog post.

• DETOX WATER – Adding 1 or 2 drops of therapeutic-grade lemon essential oil or fresh squeezed organic lemon juice to your water is a tremendous help for liver detoxification.

• AIR PURIFIERS – There are so many great Hepa air purifiers offered on the market. Do your own research to find what system will work best for you and your budget. I personally like this air purifier and use it every night while we sleep. (It also has a great humming sound that serves a dual purpose as a white-noise machine).

• COFFEE ENEMAS – Just the name of this detox method can be a bit intimidating. This practice can give amazing results of clearer thinking, more energy, lighter feeling, less bloating and many more benefits. Like any new process, it can take some research and getting used to. I found this to be a great beginner’s link to become more familiar with the process. https://allthenourishingthings.com/how-to-prepare-a-coffee-enema/

• DRY-BRUSHING – This practice, which basically involves running a soft-bristled brush across the skin toward your heart, stimulates the lymphatic system movement and assist with removing toxins from the body. It also helps break down cellulite.

• SWEATING – Sweating is a great way to release excess toxins and helps keep our bodies functioning optimally. Some other great applications to increase sweating include a warm bath, massage, exercise and especially saunas. We love our infrared sauna. You also benefit from burning several hundred calories in just one half hour session. Win-win!

• OIL PULLING – Using an organic, unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil is the key for oil pulling. A short intro to it is to swish the oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. When done just spit it out making sure you dispose of the contaminated oil in a trash can, not the drain. There are more important points to know about the process to do it properly and you can do some research to find out more information regarding the process. The detoxing benefits include: improvement with headaches, sinus congestion, throat issues, gum inflammation, oral health and even assists with asthma and diabetes. Increased energy, better balanced hormones, decreased inflammation and clearer skin are additional benefits of oil pulling.

• REMOVING AMALGAM FILLINGS – Amalgam dental fillings are more than 50% mercury. This metal is dangerously toxic to the body. Were you aware that every time you chew on a mercury filling, you release mercury vapors into the body? It is imperative to have an educated dentist, preferably a biologic dentist, perform the amalgam removals. This procedure needs to be done by a highly-skilled and trained professional to minimize the off-gassing of the mercury and completely collect it during the removal process. I cannot understand why this harmful material was ever used in the first place. But even now, so many people still have mercury fillings and unfortunately don’t see the urgency to remove them. Prolonged exposure to mercury can result in: insomnia, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, tremors, memory issues/dementia, rashes, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, hair loss and increased heart rate.

Part 2: Ultimate Guide to Holistic Detox will be coming soon, so subscribe here to join our community. This will keep you up to date on learning how to become a healthier, better version of you! You can look forward to learning techniques for healthy swaps for your food and home, improving your gut health and learning about healthier sleep habits!

Blessings and support, 🙏🏻 🥰

Becky